Voltaire’s influence on American government can be seen in the ideas of freedom of religion and separation of church and state that are enshrined in the Constitution.
He was a strong advocate of freedom of religion, which he believed was necessary for a prosperous society. He argued that people should not be forced to adhere to a specific religion or belief system, but rather should be allowed to choose their own path. This idea influenced Thomas Jefferson, who wrote in his 1776 Declaration of Independence that all men “are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution states: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,” meaning there should be no state-sponsored religion and citizens should be free to practice any religious beliefs they choose without interference from the government. The separation of church and state is also reflected in Article VI of the Constitution: “no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States.”
Moreover, Voltaire argued that people should be allowed to worship freely without being persecuted by the state or other citizens. He believed this was an essential part of a free society because it encouraged tolerance among different religious groups and prevented religious strife from disrupting society.
